RE: [Philmont]: How to rig a "dining fly"?

-----------------
A B C
      X
 D E F
 G H
 I J
 K L M
      Y
N 0 P
-----------------

Your recollections are mostly correct. But there are 3 pieces of rope not
1.

Selden has put together a nice collection of info here:
http://www.lns.cornell.edu/~seb/philmont-diningfly.html

The ridge line works like so. Taunt line around stake at B. Clovehitch
using loop or Mickey Mouse method around pole at X. Line is fed though
grommet at E where a larks head is tied around a stick no biger around than
your pinky finger. The stick shoulld be small enough to break in a strong
wind so as not to rip the grommet. This grommet should be as close to the
pole as possible to prevent sagging. No more than a thumb's width. The line
then runs down the legnth of the fly (tight enough to snap) as a ridge line
where it comes back out at the opposite grommet. The process is mirrored.
The line comes out of the grommet where it larks heads around a stick, clove
hitch around the pole, the line then runs down to a taunt line hitch
around the stake at O.

The two side ropes use taunt lines at each ends. The taunt lines are tied
to the ropes themselves to give triangles for the stakes to go into. A
diagram on Selden's page shows this. Stakes go at A N C P and between G I
and H J.

I noticed a dated version of the "Pitching a Fly" from the 89 Ranger
handbook. A couple of things have changed so here is the latest one.

1. A-Frame style,, 15-20 feet from the fire ring
2. Face the tarp so that it is "cornering" into the wind
 A. One corner is pointed into the wind.
 B. Allows some wind to pass through while keeping most rain out
3. Use a small stick to secure the ridge line to the tarp
 A. Use a lark's head to secure it
 B. Ridge line and tarp should both be tight
 C. Small sticks - they should break in a strong wind
4. Clove hitch on the top of the poles - top three sections of poles
sufficient. You want a "BIG" FLY not a "TALL" fly.
5. Use tautline hithces to stake down the guy lines.
6. Lace cord along the side grommets and secure the corners first then the
middle
7. Push, don't pound the stakes.

I never read that section of the Ranger handbook before now, but had been
origionally taught the same thing by my first Training Ranger.

Jason
><>
Retired Ranger

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Received on Mon Jul 7 11:38:29 2003